Fosdick was an influential American pastor, theologian, and writer known for his liberal theological views. In this book, Fosdick seeks to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the Bible by exploring its historical context, literary genres, and central themes.

The book begins by introducing the Bible as a collection of diverse texts written by various authors over many centuries. Fosdick emphasizes the importance of understanding the social, cultural, and historical background in which each biblical text was written.